replacement 12v battery connections, 3 into 1, 2 into 1 and singles..

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TactilePaul

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hi, so i have the usual problem of stretched rings leaving the terminals loose, one of them has 3 into one, its crimped i think, I dont want to have to change the cables, and i think a clamp type would be more secure, I cant seem to find any that specifically fit 3 large cables??
any help please??
 
I would avoid any battery terminal clamping the strands with either a simple brass clamp plate or worse two short screws that pass into the strands, instead a heavy hydraulically set crimp terminal on each attaching cable, with decent sized (at least 10mm) stud, and that the crimps used should match both the cable CSA and post diameter. Most of the decent terminals will accommodate at least 2 or 3 lugs in a stack including a brass washer under the securing nut.

I would avoid:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Pce-12...740056?hash=item3cd2dd0d98:g:GOgAAOSw1VRZkYvs

and:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-...170617?hash=item3645f8d9f9:g:C30AAOSw~HFcRGMO

My choice:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-Of-...370611?hash=item2cc92781f3:g:LWkAAOSwZfNaVieC
 
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superheat6k said:
I would avoid any battery terminal clamping the strands with either a simple brass clamp plate or worse two short screws that pass into the strands, instead a heavy hydraulically set crimp terminal on each attaching cable, with decent sized (at least 10mm) stud, and that the crimps used should match both the cable CSA and post diameter. Most of the decent terminals will accommodate at least 2 or 3 lugs in a stack including a brass washer under the securing nut.

I would avoid:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Pce-12...740056?hash=item3cd2dd0d98:g:GOgAAOSw1VRZkYvs

and:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-...170617?hash=item3645f8d9f9:g:C30AAOSw~HFcRGMO

My choice:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-Of-...370611?hash=item2cc92781f3:g:LWkAAOSwZfNaVieC
Click to expand...

Pretty much sums it up, definitely agree on those first two terminal types being rubbish. The last one is the way to go and the supplier you linked to is also reputable. My only other thought, whilst 10mm terminals are perfectly fine, for most yachts 8mm are equally suitable.
 
I used a couple of these ... 1x M10 and 3x M6 ... they were excellent

https://www.svb24.com/en/sc4-battery-pole-clamps.html

0ecc0eacd57f167c68c20cbf97a7cb2b.jpg


Use the clamp type and they end up like this ...

Batteries01.jpg
 
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superheat6k said:
....

I would avoid:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Pce-12...740056?hash=item3cd2dd0d98:g:GOgAAOSw1VRZkYvs
...
Click to expand...

at least those have two hex per cable so they can be done up nice and tight on the cable. Those with just a slot head screw, often made of dinky-toy metal are even worse.
The key is crimping eyelets onto the cable properly. A poor crimp will be worse than those ebay terminals, at least one can check the screws haven't come loose!

If you can remove the cable easily and take them to a man with a proper crimper, that is IMHO the most reliable way forwards.
 
PaulRainbow said:
Pretty much sums it up, definitely agree on those first two terminal types being rubbish. The last one is the way to go and the supplier you linked to is also reputable. My only other thought, whilst 10mm terminals are perfectly fine, for most yachts 8mm are equally suitable.
Click to expand...
I just feel the size of the typical cable at 35 - 50 mm2 warrants a 10mm bolt rather than an 8mm, but then I am used to dealing with heavy 3 phase 400v connectors, and always prefer something more chunky where ~ 150 amps or more is flowing. I generally find 8mm or even 6mm on < 125amps, although most 250amp 3 phase MCCBs come with 8mm connector bolts, I do feel the makers are scrimping here !
 
Agree - I used the recommended ones recently but one came with a poor thread, I complained, sent a photo and another arrived next day. From the same supplier. I do like the ones superheat6k recommends.
 
wow, excellent response thanks, I logged on at 4 ish and was disappointed that i had no replies, but of course, anyone with a boat was at work all day to pay for all this stuff that often seems never ending!
I really don't want to take cables out, the one with 3 wires has come loose from its crimp, i beleive that clamps are more reliable, and i have room for them, the only downside i can think of is appearance!?, it doesn't take much ampage to start the volvo, the leisure battery will manage it, so I can afford to have one terminal fail and still be able to start engine, anything has to be better than the floppy broken ones that still do the job, just! thanks.
 
can't work out why there are 3 neutrals into one terminal?, i am guessing its 1 to the other battery, one to the fuseboard and the other to the starter motor??
 
goldcrest said:
can't work out why there are 3 neutrals into one terminal?, i am guessing its 1 to the other battery, one to the fuseboard and the other to the starter motor??
Click to expand...

We can't see your boat, so we'll do the guessing while you go and look.
There are few limits to the possibilities, I won't bet on what some previous owner has done, but what you suggest is a reasonable possibility.

Some people have had good results with cheap hydraulic crimpers from ebay.
 
lw395 said:
We can't see your boat, so we'll do the guessing while you go and look.
There are few limits to the possibilities, I won't bet on what some previous owner has done, but what you suggest is a reasonable possibility.

Some people have had good results with cheap hydraulic crimpers from ebay.
Click to expand...

I spent €38 on hydraulic crimpers from Amazon .... I was worried about reliability, but they managed 20-25 crimps on 95mm2 battery cable plus numerous smaller sizes - did a great job and are still going strong .... :encouragement:

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B077S7WP5M/ref=pe_3044161_189395811_TE_SCE_3p_dp_1

41ojd6z7uGL.jpg
 
so had a look today, I managed to mend one terminal by hacksawing a slice of lead from where the nut was squeezing ends of the ring together, that will give me another few years!!! as for the other 3 to 1 crimp, i have decided to have the 3 wires going together in a tee a few inches from the terminal, and then just 1 of those wires going to the terminal, i havent worked out what to use as a tee yet..????? might try soldering it into a 10mm copper pipe tee?? ideally a clamp designed for purpose, but i doubt they exist???
 
If you're going to solder it, why not solder on crimp terminals, they are cheap enough from Screwfix or elsewhere. Soldering is not trivial in these sizes, I've done it using a blowlamp. You need to use lots of heat quickly before the insulation gets a chance to melt.
Bodging it with a plumbing fitting is worse than what you have IMHO.
 
annoyed that i didnt measure them today, whatever is standard i guess, about 50-60mm2??
just spoke to the my sparky, the answer is obvious, a copper bar with 3 holes in!!, a busbar..
all i need now is some rings that i can clamp or screw to cables, I dont like crimped joints, they are fallable!!, i have the proof on my negative terminal..
i just had the thought that i can make bar a bit longer and add all the odd things that have been wired up to bateries direct over the years, (fused of course!!), the bilge pump and other permenant 12v requirements.. they are a mess..
right, off to flatten some 15mm copper pipe and drill holes in it, if it 'aint thick enough i'll double it up..have a great weekend everybody, we'll get some summer soon..!!
 
goldcrest said:
annoyed that i didnt measure them today, whatever is standard i guess, about 50-60mm2??
just spoke to the my sparky, the answer is obvious, a copper bar with 3 holes in!!, a busbar..
all i need now is some rings that i can clamp or screw to cables, I dont like crimped joints, they are fallable!!, i have the proof on my negative terminal..
i just had the thought that i can make bar a bit longer and add all the odd things that have been wired up to bateries direct over the years, (fused of course!!), the bilge pump and other permenant 12v requirements.. they are a mess..
right, off to flatten some 15mm copper pipe and drill holes in it, if it 'aint thick enough i'll double it up..have a great weekend everybody, we'll get some summer soon..!!
Click to expand...

You're having a larf !

You don't like crimps, but you're bodging it all up with bit of copper pipe.

Properly crimped ends don't come off, my crimper scrunches them up with 8 tons of hydraulic pressure, infallible. Surely someone in your marina/boatyard has a crimper you could borrow, or get them to do it for you ?
 
goldcrest said:
annoyed that i didnt measure them today, whatever is standard i guess, about 50-60mm2??
just spoke to the my sparky, the answer is obvious, a copper bar with 3 holes in!!, a busbar..
all i need now is some rings that i can clamp or screw to cables, I dont like crimped joints, they are fallable!!, i have the proof on my negative terminal..
i just had the thought that i can make bar a bit longer and add all the odd things that have been wired up to bateries direct over the years, (fused of course!!), the bilge pump and other permenant 12v requirements.. they are a mess..
right, off to flatten some 15mm copper pipe and drill holes in it, if it 'aint thick enough i'll double it up..have a great weekend everybody, we'll get some summer soon..!!
Click to expand...

Your SS rigging is crimped .... a proper crimp is the answer, anything else is an inferior connection - but it's your boat and your choice. :encouragement:

 
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